Nancy Mustari Key

Nancy Mustari Key passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, in Scarborough, Maine, from pancreatic cancer, supported and surrounded by a loving family.

Nancy was born Annuziata Rose Mustari in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, to Domenico and Rosa (Cortese) Mustari in 1940.

She valued education and was truly a life-long learner. Nancy earned a music scholarship to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 1962. Her primary instrument was piano, and she was a popular accompanist for singers and soloists throughout college.

While teaching elementary music in Washington, Pennsylvania, she met and married her fellow teacher, Ronald Jones. They were married in 1965, and moved to Richmond, Virginia, where together they raised three children - Eric, Stephen, and Dina. They took special care with Eric who was born with autism and an intellectual disability. Nancy further supported her children’s interests in the arts by driving them to countless theater, music, and dance rehearsals. Her children have fond memories of regular trips to local libraries and museums.

Nancy was a consummate musician and was generous with her talents. She was a music minister at several churches in the Richmond area, playing piano and organ. Nancy was also active in the theater community, providing musical direction and piano for local productions of Oliver!, Carousel, Camelot, and The Music Man. Nancy and Ronald (on trumpet) made lifelong friends playing in the band Swing Time, even performing at one of Ronald Reagan’s inaugural balls.

In 1995, Nancy relocated to New England and continued in music ministry for churches in Massachusetts and Maine. After Ronald’s passing in 2005, Nancy met Jim Key at Steep Falls Baptist Church. Their shared Christian faith and care and support of Eric brought them together, and they married in 2007. They also both shared an enduring love for animals: their cat Freddie, other family pets, and the many visitors to their bird feeders.

Nancy spent her years in Maine sharing her love for music and giving piano lessons to her grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and other children and adults. She was especially pleased to teach her granddaughter Jia who arrived from China at the age of nine. Although they did not speak the same language, they both shared a love for piano music. Her piano students have fond memories of recitals at the house where all music was welcome.

She volunteered her musical talent to play at local churches, bean suppers, and nursing homes where she and Jim led residents in sing-alongs. Nancy also provided piano accompaniment for musical theater in Kennebunk, Sanford, and Standish.

Nancy always worked hard at music, revisiting the classics and exploring new horizons. She practiced piano and cello regularly and began to learn the violin at age 78. She avidly followed her grandchildren’s activities in school, sports, theater, and Chinese language and culture, supporting their education from preschool through college.

Nancy is survived by her husband Jim Key; children Eric Jones, Stephen Jones, and Dina McKelvy (Nicholas); stepchildren Brian Key (Rachel) and Melissa Holbrook (Everett); grandchildren David, Brendan, and Jia McKelvy; and step-grandchildren Matthew and Samuel Key, and Everett Jr. and Isaac Holbrook. She is predeceased by parents Domenico and Rosa Mustari, sisters Josephine and Emma, and her first husband Ronald Jones.

A Celebration of Life is planned on March 29, 2026, at 3pm at The Summit Community Church in Gorham, Maine. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Scarborough Public Library (scarboroughlibrary.org) or Hospice of Southern Maine (hospiceofsouthernmaine.org).

"Don't cry for me, for I go where music is born" - J. S. Bach